On the Road(s) Again!

Located on the coast of Virginia, Hampton Roads will be home to Dining Out for Life on Thursday, April 28, 2011. At last year’s event, over $75,000 was raised. Will this year beat last year’s record? Only if you participate!

Part of the proceeds for the day will be donated to Access AIDS Care, which is a group with the noble mission to provide greater access to comprehensive HIV support services.

The participating restaurants vary, and there are over 40 to chose from. One highlight includes family-friendly restaurant, the Broken Egg Bistro. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at both the Kempsville and Suffolk locations, this neighborhood bistro has lots of options. Broken Egg offers a staggering amount of egg options (three egg omelets, sandwiches, combos), plus a full lunch and dinner menu, ranging from chicken to oysters to pasta. And a wine list. Eggcelent!

Nawshin’ in Nashville

This year marks the ninth year that Dining Out for Life will be taking over the charming city of Nashville. On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, restaurants around the city will be donating anywhere from 30% to 75% of the day’s proceeds to Nashville Cares. Nashville Cares provides HIV/AIDS education, support, and compassion for all for Nashville and the surrounding areas, and is the perfect reason for you to dine out.

“Nashville’s Original Restaurant”, the Tin Angel, is one of the participating restaurants. A Cheers of the sorts, the Tin Angel, is place to go for warm food and a warm atmosphere. Regulars and newbies alike fill the restaurant, which offers a dinner menu ranging from risotto to burgers.

Or, for some Asian Fusion, take a step inside Suzy Wong’s House of Yum. This House will be donating a full 100% of food proceeds to Nashville Cares. They offer sushi, soups, salads, Yum bowls, and more. What’s a Yum Bowl, you ask? Well, you’ll just have to go to this generous restaurant on April 26 to find out, won’t you?

SVEN SUNDGAARD, KARE 11 Meteorologist, To Be Celebrity Diner For “DINING OUT FOR LIFE” in Twin Cities!

The Aliveness Project is proud to announce that Sven Sundgaard, KARE 11 meteorologist, has again agreed to be the celebrity spokesperson for their 17th annual “Dining Out For Life” fundraiser. Proceeds of the 17th annual Dining Out for Life event benefit The Aliveness Project, a nonprofit organization that provides hot meals, food shelf service, integrative therapies, holiday baskets, case management and educational services to individuals living with HIV and their families.

The mission of The Aliveness Project is to encourage self-empowerment and provide direct services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Last year, The Aliveness Project served over 1,572 individuals – which is one of four Minnesotans living with HIV/AIDS. “This is a unique opportunity for people to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Just choose one of our restaurants and enjoy your meal or meals with a group of friends — all you have to donate is your appetite!” said Aliveness Project’s Executive Director, Joe Larson. “Dining Out for Life has benefited The Aliveness Project for the past sixteen years,” added Larson. “Last year, Dining Out for Life raised over $161,000.00 to support our services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in our community. This year, we are excited to have even more diners planning to participate during breakfast, lunch or dinner on April 28.”

Established in 1985, The Aliveness Project is a community drop-in center located in south Minneapolis and dedicated to serving people living with HIV/AIDS. The Aliveness Project provides nutritious meals, a food shelf, integrative therapies, holiday baskets, case management and educational resources to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Last year, more than 1,572 individuals living with HIV used our services — which is one out for four Minnesotans living with HIV/AIDS. Hundreds of their family members also benefit from the food shelf, meal program, holiday baskets and other services offered by The Aliveness Project. Approximately 47 percent of the people who use these services are people of color and the majority of them live in poverty and in dire need of these services. Dining Out for Life provides support for much-needed services for those living with HIV/AIDS. The Aliveness Project is proud to announce that Sven Sundgaard, KARE 11 meteorologist, has again agreed to be the celebrity spokesperson for this very special event. Each year, thousands of diners participate by dining at one of over 165 restaurants. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and have a good time, while at the same time doing something good for our local HIV/AIDS community. More than two-thirds of our church membership participated last year and we’re already planning for this year,” stated Pastor Mary Albing of Lutheran Church of Christ the Redeemer in south Minneapolis.

This year’s participating restaurants include:
128 Café, 318 Café, 8th Street Grill, Acqua, Afton House Inn, al Vento, Amazing Grace Bakery & Café (Duluth), Angelo's Italian Restaurant, Anodyne @ 43rd, Arezzo Ristorante, Aster Café, At Sara's Table/Chester Creek Café (Duluth), B.A.N.K., Bambu, Bar Abilene, Barbette, Beaujo's Wine Bar & Bistro, Birchwood Café, Black Dog Café & Wine Bar, Black Forest Inn, Blackbird Café, Boca Chica Restaurant, Brasa Rotisserie, Brugger’s Bagels, The Bulldog Lowertown, The Bulldog Uptown, Buona Sera, The Butcher Block Bar & Restaurant, C.C. Club, Café Ena, Café Maude, Café Twenty-Eight, Campus Pizza, Carmelo's Ristorante, Chiang Mai Thai, Chin Dian, Chris & Rob’s Chicago Taste Authority (Fridley, Minneapolis, St. Paul), Christos Greek Restaurant (Minnetonka), Christos Union Depot Place, Citizen Café, Colossal Café, Craftsman Restaurant, Cupcake, Cuppa Java Coffee and Deli, Curran's Restaurant, Dover Restaurant & Bar, Dunn Bros Coffee (Roseville), eagleBOLTbar, Ecopolitan, Eden Avenue Grill, El Mesón, El Nuevo Rodeo, El Paraiso Mexican Restaurant, Elsie’s, Erte & The Peacock Lounge, Everest on Grand, FACES Mears Park, Falafel King, Fat Lorenzo's, Finnish Bistro, FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, Fireroast Mountain Café, First Course, Forum, Fujiya Japanese (Minneapolis), Fusion, Galactic Pizza, Gigi’s Café, Ginger Hop Restaurant, The Glockenspiel, Grand Café, Great Waters Brewing Company, Hazel’s Northeast, Heidi’s Minneapolis, The Herkimer Pub and Brewery, Highland Café & Bakery, Himalayan Restaurant (Fridley and Mpls), Hot Plate, Il Gatto, The Independent, It's Greek to Me, Jackson’s Coffee & Gelato, Jakeeno's Pizza & Pasta, J.D. Hoyt’s, Jitters Coffee & Tea House (Duluth), Joe's Garage Restaurant, Joseph’s Family Restaurant, Kafé 421, Khyber Pass Café, La Chaya Bistro, Lone Spur Grill & Bar, Loring Kitchen & Bar, Lucia’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, Luna Rossa Trattoria & Wine Bar, LUSH Food Bar, Lyon’s Pub, The Malt Shop Restaurant, Manny's Tortas, Maverick's Wood Grill, May Day Café, Maynard's Restaurant (Excelsior), McCoy's Public House, Moose and Sadie's, moto-i Sake Brewery Restaurant, Muffuletta, Napa Valley Grille, New Bistro, Nonna Rosa’s Ristorante Italiano, Pagoda, Pancho Villa's Grill, Papa's Restaurant and Deli, Park Tavern Bowling & Entertainment Center, Piccolo, Pizza Lucé (DINE-IN ONLY: St. Paul, Seward/University, Uptown, Duluth, Hopkins and Downtown Mpls), The Purple Onion Café, Rail Station Bar & Grill, Rainbow Chinese Restaurant & Bar, Red Stag Supperclub, Restaurant Alma, Restaurant Aura, Rinata, Riverview Café & Wine Bar, Roat Osha, Roman Anthony’s Italian Restaurant, Rudolphs Bar-B-Que, Rustica Bakery, The Saloon, The Sample Room, Sanctuary, Santorini, Sapor Café/Bar, Sawatdee & Zushiya of Maple Grove, Sawatdee St. Paul, Sawatdee Thai Restaurant (Washington Ave), Sen Yai Sen Lek, Senor Wong, Sir Benedicts Tavern on the Lake (Duluth), Sontes (Rochester), Spill The Wine, Spoonriver, St. Clair Broiler, Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room, Stella's Fish Café, Supatra's Thai Cuisine, Tanpopo Noodle Shop, Thanh Do Restaurant, Thom Pham’s Wondrous Azian Kitchen, Toast Wine Bar & Café, Tooties on Lowry, Trattoria da Vinci, Tum Rup Thai, Va Bene Berarducci's Caffe (Duluth), Victor's 1959 Café, Vina Restaurant, W.A. Frost, Wilde Roast Café, & Yum! (Take Out Only).


All proceeds raised from Dining Out for Life support local services. Individual donations also may be sent to: The Aliveness Project, 730 East 38th Street, Minneapolis MN, 55407, or be processed online at www.aliveness.org.

Ted Allen of Food Network’s Chopped talks about the Most Satisfying Meal You’ll Have All Year

It was an easy decision for Ted Allen, host of Food Network’s hit series Chopped, to get involved with Dining Out for Life^sm, the annual one-day fundraiser held in nearly 60 cities across North America. This year, in partnership with over 3,500 restaurants and with the help of more than 250,000 diners, Dining Out for Life expects to raise over $4 million to support essential services for men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS. With the support of their Host Sponsor Subaru of America, nearly 60 organizations across the continent are working hard to achieve and surpass that goal.

When asked what prompted him to personally step up as a spokesperson for Dining Out for Life, Allen explained, “First, the AIDS crisis continues… and with the new federal budget slashing another $1 billion for AIDS care, it is more important than ever to keep HIV/AIDS on the front burner. Too many people think it's a minor problem solved by swallowing a few pills. It isn't. Second, while supporting local restaurants, chefs, and restaurant workers, Dining Out for Life donations help those right in the same community. Finally, the event gives everybody a chance to make a meaningful contribution to the cause in such a simple way.”

Although much about the disease has changed over the past 30 years, the fact remains that an estimated 1.2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, nearly half without appropriate healthcare. With one in five people not even realizing they are infected, it is estimated that 60,000 new HIV infections will occur in the U.S. this year, with the majority under age 29.

Now is the time to help, suggests Allen: “This country is trying desperately to recover from the recession, and the people who used to donate or volunteer at food banks and soup kitchens now are struggling to feed their own families. It is more important than ever for those of us who are able, to donate time and resources.”

About Subaru of America, Inc

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit www.subaru.com.

From Here To Kalamazoo!

Anyone from Kalamazoo, Michigan will hold up his or her hand, and point to the lower left corner, indicating that they’re from the Southwestern part of the state. Michiganians share this special trait of explaining to East Coasters, West Coasters, and Southerners just where exactly they’re from, and it helps for figuring out what’s where in the state.

This city in the lower left corner of the Michigan mitten will be participating in Dining Out for Life on Thursday, April 28, 2011, with proceeds going toward CARES, which is the second-largest HIV/AIDS service provider in the state. CARES’ mission is to minimize further transmission of HIV and to maximize the quality of life for all people affected by HIV. They do this by being a successful social enterprise, building financial strength, and attracting and retaining engaged staff, board, and volunteers. To find out more about CARES, go to.

Participating restaurants will donate anywhere from 25% to 50% of their proceeds from the day to CARES. The 411 Club is the leader of the pack, with a pledge to donate 50% of the day’s profit. The Club is Kalamazoo’s new home for Blues, Zydeco, Jazz, and other American music, and features a full dinner menu from 5pm to 10pm.

Other participating eating establishments include Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill’s Downtown, Wing West, and West locations, Burdick’s Breakfast Express, Bella Sorelle, and more. Find something to tickle your fancy on April 28, 2011.

Why Do You Dine Out For Life?

Why do you Dine Out For Life? Is it just another meal? Is it a good reason to go out and spend money?

Is it a worthy cause you feel comfortable supporting? Is it a great excuse to have a night out with friends? Or do you have a more personal reason?

Are you battling HIV/AIDS? Is someone you are close with living with HIV/AIDS? Perhaps you have lost a friend, a brother, a sister, a parent, or a child to the disease? Why do you Dine Out For Life?

We want to know why! All answers – from “I want to help!” to “I lost a lover…” Are powerful and appreciated! You’d be surprised, you might find there are others who have the same reason! Now, one more request…If you feel comfortable enough sharing, we want you to tell us publicly!

Why do you Dine Out For Life?

We want you to post in the comments below. We want you to leave a note on Facebook. We want you to tell us via Twitter. We don’t care how you tell us, but we want to here YOUR story.

Why do you Dine Out For Life?

It’s not just for us. We need to share our stories with the community. We need to remind one another why this ‘cause isn’t just delicious – why it is IMPORTANT. We need to make sure those who have lost the fight with HIV/AIDS are remembered, and their valiant effort and amazing lives are not forgotten.

We need to encourage those who haven’t faced the disease to get involved….NOW!

Let's make our social media sites, our blog, our Facebook page, our Twitter a VIRTUAL MEMORIAL for all those who have inspired us!

Vacation Getaway Contest!

For those of you who are Dining Out For Life in the Hudson Valley - you have an extra incentive to eat out for charity

AIDS-Related Community Services has secured a trip for two from New York to London as a grand prize for its Dining Out for Life raffle!

The prize is being donated by British Airways. One grand prize winner will receive two ‘World Traveller Class’ tickets on a British Airways flight from New York to London and a three-night stay at a three-star hotel! Diners at our Dining Out for Life restaurants who donate $100 or more will be automatically be entered into a random drawing to win this grand prize.

The drawing will be held at ARCS’ Dining Out for Life wrap-up party on April 28, 2011 between 9:30 and 11:00 pm at Delafield’s Restaurant in Poughkeepsie, NY, one of our participating restaurants. (The winner does not need to be present to win.) We will post a video of the drawing on our YouTube channel on April 29th and will contact the winner that day.

The trip is valid for one year from date of issue and is subject to restrictions, and reservations must be made in advance. This generous donation was made possible by the work of Ellen Maher, a new employee to ARCS’ special events and fund-raising department and a former British Airways employee.